Student
Affairs
Student Affairs Office
Stevenson Union 324
541-552-6221
Student Affairs Office
Stevenson Union 324
541-552-6221
Ivan Gorne, Vice President for Student Affairs
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Student
Affairs
Student Affairs Office Stevenson Union 324 541-552-6221 Ivan Gorne, Vice President for Student Affairs |
SOU CATALOG HOME : STUDENT AFFAIRS
Student Affairs supports and complements academic programs and helps students by contributing to their cultural, social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development.The office coordinates and disseminates information about campus policies, procedures, and resources and is responsible for assisting with directory information, hearing student grievances and administering the student conduct code.
The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for all student-related services, including Access Center, Financial Aid, Women's Center, Housing, Student Health Center, Stevenson Union, Multicultural Affairs, Educational Activities, Athletics and Recreational Sports, Counseling Services, Career Services, Disabled Student Services, Academic Advising Services, and Academic Resource Services.
The primary mission of the Student Access Center is to help students define and accomplish their academic and personal goals. This mission is achieved through the following objectives:1. Programming focused on the developmental needs of students.
2. Individual and group advising, counseling, career, and academic support services.
3. Collaboration with all other campus units to enhance the intellectual, emotional, and physical development of students.
4. Provision of current technology to support student learning and administrative efficiency.
Academic advising is available to all students attending Southern Oregon University. Those who are new will find many academic resources available. The Student Access Center provides academic advising, personal counseling, career counseling, services for disabled students, and tutoring and skills testing.The Access Center is located under the Bookstorelook for the green awning that says "The Underground." We can be reached at 541-552-6213. Our goal is to help prepare students for a successful academic and personal transition to Southern.
Individual academic departments provide advising for students with declared majors.
Where to Go for Advising
- Undeclared New Students or Transfer Students
- These students should make an appointment with an academic advisor in the Student Access Center (541-552-6213). Students are advised on general education requirements, choosing a major, BA/BS requirements, and how to register for classes. Please ask to attend one of the new student orientation programs held during the summer and before the start of each academic term.
- New Students or Transfer Students with Declared Majors
- Students who have declared majors should meet with an academic advisor from their department.
Important Information You Need to Know!
To help you succeed at SOU, we have devised an individual advising plan which directs you to have at least one yearly session with your advisor. Meeting with your advisor is one of the most important contacts in your academic career. Your advisor can provide not only academic assistance but also serve as a mentor and resource in your field of study.
Listed below are the things you need to do each year; they will require you to plan ahead.
Remember, yearly "Academic Plans" must be on file with your major department or you may not be able to register for classes as a junior and senior.
Advising is done by the instructor of the University Colloquium class (Core 101, 102, 103). This yearlong course focuses on writing, speaking, and clarifying educational goals.The colloquium instructor assists with preparation of freshman- and sophomore-year plans, which serve as guides for course selection and overall academic planning.
Sophomores with declared majors are assigned an advisor from their academic department. Students need to talk directly with the department to formally declare a major and get an advisor.Sophomores without a declared major can be seen by an advisor in the Student Access Center for advising and help choosing a major.
All sophomores must complete a junior-year plan at the completion of their sophomore year. The plan outlines courses needed during the junior year. This plan and a declaration of major must be on file when students have accumulated 90 credits, or future registration will be blocked.
Upon reaching junior standing, students must have the following completed:1. A declared major and departmental advisor.
2. A junior-year plan filed with their major department, or registration will be blocked.
Upon reaching senior standing students must have the following completed:1. A senior-year plan filed with their major department or future registration will be blocked.
2. Remember to file for graduation at least two terms before you plan to complete your degree requirements. Degree Applications are available in the Registration Center.
Individual, couples, and group counseling services are available for students to explore problems and feelings that are impeding their academic or personal fulfillment. Counseling is available to help manage a variety of issues including those pertaining to relationships, self esteem, stress, anxiety, depression and other personal problems. Counseling staff members are also able to assess and refer students suffering from addiction related problems and more severe forms of psychological distress.
Many types of career assistance are available to SOU students and alumni: assessment services, guidance selecting a major and career direction, job announcements, a reference library, videotapes and workshops about job hunting skills, assistance with graduate school applications, résumé critiques, on-campus interviewing, and career fairs. All students are encouraged to become familiar with these services to help plan extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, internships, and jobs after graduation. Special files services are available for those in the teacher education programs. Some services carry modest fees.
These services are designed to help students develop the learning skills and study habits they need to succeed in coursework throughout their academic careers. Specific goals are to help students know more about themselves as learners and teach them how to improve their class performance. Services include computerized placement testing, selected tutorial assistance, individual and group consultation, and referral and coordination with other campus services.
The University is committed to the Civil Rights statute for disabled individuals. Our goal is to provide equal access to all buildings and classrooms and to remove any attitudinal barriers disabled students might experience. SOU's provision of special services to students with disabilities is intended to equalize and give access to educational opportunities on a University-wide basis. A variety of support services are available to students: orientation/advocacy; reasonable classroom accommodation; counseling/advising; appropriate test-taking situations; special parking; writing, note taking, and reading assistance; special adaptive equipment for computers; taping of textbooks; resource and referral information; and other services as needed. For more information, call 541-552-6214.
Beginning the freshman year, students are eligible to obtain academic credit for volunteering for a variety of community programs. Opportunities exist for those exploring possible careers as well as those dedicated to serving children and the elderly, homeless, and disadvantaged. Volunteers keep a progress journal and meet periodically to discuss their experiences. Agencies and schools in the Rogue Valley, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls areas participate.
Student veterans in the Student Access Center are available to assist veterans in such areas as readjustment to civilian and academic life, academic advising, and other special needs. The veterans' clerk in the Registrar's Office is responsible for certifying attendance of veterans enrolled at SOU. Veterans who expect to receive benefits from the Veterans' Administration must contact the veterans' clerk to be certified.
This facility is available to the children of SOU registered students, faculty, and staff. Infant, toddler, and preschool classes are available for children six weeks to six years of age. The center, accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, offers a child-centered approach to early education and care. Experiences and relationships are designed to foster emotional, social, cognitive, physical, and aesthetic development.Schneider Children's Center is open when class is in session. Hours are 7:30 a.m.5:00 p.m. Time is reserved on a quarterly basis. Two nutritious meals and an afternoon snack are served every day at no extra charge. There is a waiting list so please apply early.
The College Union and Educational Activities Department acts as the umbrella under which a variety of programs and events occur. Out-of-class activities are an important and vital complement to classroom and laboratory activities. Members of this department and other University faculty work with students to develop a broad, dynamic program of activities such as art shows, lectures, concerts, films, debates, theatre, music, outdoor programs, and publications. Other opportunities for student involvement include campus government, clubs, and organizations. See Student Activities for more information.The professional staff includes the union director, who supervises operations; the associate union director, who supervises educational activities and student programs; and the associate director of student activities, who acts as a resource for student clubs and organizations. Additional staff members work closely with students to prepare and present programs and keep reports for the variety of activities that occur in Stevenson Union.
Stevenson Union is the major service center for the campus community. It contains meeting rooms, lounging areas, food service areas, and study space. It houses the University bookstore and a variety of student activities and facilities, including student government, a games room, an outdoor program, the Siskiyou student newspaper, the Gallery, the Student Publicity Center, the Environmental Resource Center, the Office of International Programs, the Multicultural Center, the Program Board, the Student Activities Council, the West Wind Review literary journal, and the Non-Traditional/Commuter Student Center.
This office is the center of programming and student activities for the union. All business services for Stevenson Union operations are handled here including scheduling, catering, accounting, and purchasing.
The Activities Corner is designated for use to support co-curricular activities and contains club mailboxes, work space, storage, and banner making supplies.
This office houses the Vice President for Student Affairs, student government, legal services attorney, and student advocate.
Southern Dining offers affordable food and prompt, courteous service. The Grill, a complete food court located on the main floor, features Mexican, Bento meals Dim Sum, Italian, and traditional American foods. The popular Subway franchise, conveniently located in the main foyer, serves submarine sandwiches made to order. Elmo's Espresso Bar offers specialty coffees, gourmet desserts, and midweek coffeehouse entertainment.The convenient Southern Dining card plan is available for off-campus students, faculty, and staff and may be purchased at Raider Aid.
The Bookstore stocks all required and recommended textbooks and supplies for classes. New and used textbooks are discounted five percent for SOU students. In addition, the Bookstore carries general merchandise such as computer software/supplies, general reading and reference books, classroom and studio supplies, Raider active wear, imprinted souvenir and gift items, backpacks, stationery, greeting cards, and health and beauty aids.
Southern Oregon University houses more than a thousand students in thirteen residence halls. Residence hall life is an integral part of the educational experience. The Housing Office provides educational, cultural, social, and recreational programs that augment the learning environment outside the classroom. A staff of area coordinators, hall directors, and resident assistants enable students to live cooperatively and aid in personal and academic counseling.
All halls are conveniently located on campus. Cascade Complex is composed of eight halls: Baker, Cedar, Diamond, Emerald, Forest, Glacier, Hawthorne, and Ivy. The Greensprings Complex is composed of four halls. The Susanne Homes Hall is composed of two wings.Each complex has a computer lab that can be accessed only by residence hall students. Individual halls have lounges, study and recreation areas, TV lounges with cable television, coin-operated laundry facilities, kitchens, and access to vending machines. Rooms are equipped with extra long twin beds, study desks, chairs, closets, bureaus, curtains, telephone jacks, extended cable TV service, and a small refrigerator. Students furnish their own towels, bed linens, blankets, and bedspreads.
Most room applications are for double rooms; however, single rooms are assigned on a priority basis as space is available. Students should indicate on their application that they would prefer a single room, but single rooms are not guaranteed.
SOU offers several special residence halls quiet, wellness, nonsmoking, older student, and freshman only.Quiet halls have established standards governing quiet study hours. Students must sign a special quiet hall contract.
Wellness halls contain fitness and exercise equipment and feature health-oriented programs. Tobacco products and alcohol are not permitted anywhere in the wellness halls. In addition to the wellness halls, other nonsmoking halls are available.
Upper division, graduate, and transfer students may choose the older student hall.
Current information about availability of special interest halls is available from the Housing Office.
Single freshman students who enroll at Southern Oregon University within one year of high school graduation must live in residence halls unless they are living with parents, legal guardians, or have written parent or guardian approval to live off campus.
Residence hall room and roommate assignments are based on the information submitted on the application. Residence hall space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date the Housing Office receives the application/reservation fee. All new students are notified in mid-August of their specific residence hall assignments for fall term.Residence hall applications may be obtained from the Admissions and Housing offices. Completed applications and a $50 application/reservation fee must be mailed to the Housing Office as early as possible. Reservations are not accepted without the $50 application/reservation fee.
When a student moves into a room, half of the application/reservation fee is retained as an application fee and the remaining half is applied to room and board charges.
Students who fail to take occupancy the day the residence halls open for the term for which they reserved a space, forfeit the entire application/reservation fee and their application is cancelled. Students who fail to qualify for admission are refunded the entire application/reservation fee upon written notification and verification to the Housing Office.
Because contract information varies, we suggest you contact the Housing Office directly to address questions regarding the residence hall room and board agreement.After the contract period begins and the student continues to be enrolled in the University, the residence hall room and board agreement can only be cancelled with an approved petition or an assessment of a fee for each of the remaining days of the contract period.
Rules and Regulations. The student agrees to abide by all federal laws, Oregon state laws, Ashland city ordinances, Southern Oregon University housing policies, and University rules and regulations as stated in the current handbooks, residence hall publications, and residence hall contract.
Only registered students are permitted to live in residence halls. When students terminate registration at the University, they must immediately move from the residence hall.
All residence halls and dining facilities are built and operated entirely with income from resident students. No state tax funds are used. For current information about room and board rates, write to the Housing Office.Room and board payment is due on the first day following occupancy or on the assigned University registration date. Residence hall payment schedules require either full payment or approved deferred payment of half of the term's room and board fees. Deferred payment is required at the time of occupancy on the University registration date, with remaining fees to be paid in equal installments on the first of each of the two months following registration of that term. Payments become delinquent after the due dates; a fine of $15 is assessed for all late payments. Deferred payments for housing must be requested from the Office of Business Services.
Housing during Christmas break is not included in room and board costs. However, residence hall space in one of the conference halls is available for rent by residence hall students during this period.
An A La Carte system provides for differences in student eating habits. Students only pay for the meals they eat and the food items they select.A residence hall student's ID card serves as a meal card and can be used at any food service location on campus. Discounts are also available for off-campus students signing up for the Southern Dining Meal Plan. The Cascade Food Court is the primary eating facility for residence hall students. Open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. most days, it offers many nutritious choices at each meal and snacks and beverages all day.
Residence hall students can also use their Southern Dining card at The Springs Snak Store near the lobby of Greensprings and the following Stevenson Union locations: Elmo's featuring a terrific selection of pasta, Mexican fare, veggies, salad bar, soups, fresh fruits, snacks, and more. Java Union specialty coffees, gourmet desserts, and coffeehouse entertainment. Bento Express serves a variety of bento meals, chicken, beef, and veggie kabobs, and a selection of Dim Sum items. Subway submarine sandwiches made to order. Raider Aid beverages, snacks, and last minute school items. Raider Aid is also the ticket outlet for most campus concerts and events. RnR features munchies to enjoy while playing pool or video and board games in the SU Games Room.
The residence hall food service also offers a variety of special functions such as outdoor barbecues, picnics, buffets, and residence hall banquets.
Old Mill Village, the family housing apartment complex, is close to the University, grade schools, middle school, and other services. This 165-unit apartment complex features 97 two-bedroom, 51 three-bedroom, 4 four-bedroom, 5 one-bedroom, and 8 studio apartments. All units have been constructed to super good cents energy efficient standards. They include large interior and outside storage areas and built-in fire alarms and sprinkler systems. Old Mill Village has on-site laundry facilities, a childcare center, a tenant community room, six play areas, and an on-site manager.In addition to Old Mill Village, there are thirty-six University-owned houses surrounding the campus. These houses are available to married couples with or without children, single parents with children, graduate students, and some undergraduate students (on a space available basis). A waiting list is maintained in the Old Mill Village Family Housing Office by date of deposit. For current rental rates, deposit information, and application procedures, please contact the Old Mill Village Family Housing Office at 1361 Quincy Street, Ashland, OR 97520, phone 541-552-8230.
Since housing is limited, applicants are encouraged to use other resources such as local rental agencies, the rental listing bulletin board in Stevenson Union, and the local newspaper the Ashland Daily Tidings.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs' commitment is to work with, support efforts, and provide leadership in the quest for a multicultural environment at Southern Oregon University. To this end, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has a dynamic definition of multiculturalism: the interweaving of culture, race/ethnicity, social class, religion, sexuality, geographical location, age, and gender. Through this definition, we embrace similarities, respect the differences among groups, and discourage assumptions based on stereotypical notions about someone's culture.The Office of Multicultural Affairs' mission is to advance racial and ethnic diversity and equity within the SOU campus. Our office is also committed to working closely with and supporting the activities and efforts of racial and ethnic groups that historically have been excluded from the opportunities enjoyed by members of the predominant culture. They are: African-Americans; Asians; Pacific Islanders; gays and lesbians; Latinos; Native Americans; and Alaskan Natives. These groups continue to find obstacles that hinder them from having full participation in our society.
The celebration of diversity and equity is the collective work of the whole institution and its constituencies. The unfolding of this process can only take place if the basic principles of respect and dignity are honored regardless of the different points of view within SOU's community. Our experiences, philosophies, and perceptions regarding racial/ethnic and gender equity, as well as levels of social responsibility to deal with these inequities, vary among all of us. A frank dialogue, activities to deconstruct biases and prejudices, and collective actions all contribute to facilitate diversity on our campus.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs administers the Diversity Scholarship. The primary goal of the scholarship is to increase the diversity of SOU's student body. Important considerations include ethnic and cultural background, financial need, and academic ability. Our office has several initiatives including prejudice reduction and conflict resolution workshops, recruitment and retention of students of color (e.g., Standing Together), mentoring programs, and multicultural curricula.
The mission of the Student Health and Wellness Center of Southern Oregon University is to promote optimal physical and emotional health of the students through quality services that are convenient, economical, and comprehensive. We tailor our care to the unique needs of students and recognize the importance of health in achieving academic goals.Staff
The Student Health and Wellness Center is staffed by dedicated health care professionals including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, and a health educator. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).Services
Services provided by the Student Health and Wellness Center include diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, care of minor injuries, and gynecological care on an outpatient basis. Laboratory, pharmacy, and x-ray facilities are on site. The Center is equipped to handle the majority of acute illness and minor trauma cases common to college students. Health education and counseling services are available and encouraged. Specialized services or prolonged care are referred as needed. The Center is open Monday through Friday during daytime hours for the academic term.Eligibility/Charges/Billing
Full-time students (those taking at least 9 credits) are automatically assessed a health service fee each term, which provides for basic health services. Students registered for fewer than 9 credits can use the Student Health and Wellness Center by paying the health fee for that term. There are additional charges to all students for prescription and nonprescription drugs, laboratory and x-ray services, and specialized procedures such as elective physicals and minor surgery. Non students who are participating in on-campus workshops and programs are charged a fee for service. Services are not available to dependents of students or to faculty and staff. Additional charges are billed to Student Accounts and no payment is required at the time of the visit.The Student Health and Wellness Center is not responsible for paying bills from private physicians or hospitals. Charges incurred for services outside the Student Health and Wellness Center for specialized care and services will be at the students' expense. Because of the possibility of large expenses due to medical emergency and/or hospitalization, students are urged to subscribe to an additional medical insurance plan.
Medical Insurance
An optional group medical insurance plan is available to all students enrolled for 9 credits or more; it is also available to their dependents. This comprehensive major medical insurance plan is designed to give maximum protection against substantial loss due to sickness and injury. Application for the group insurance coverage during the academic year must be submitted within fifteen days following registration each term. Application for summer coverage must be submitted within fifteen days following the last day of spring term.Application forms are available at the insurance table during registration and at the Business Office during the designated registration periods. For further information contact the Student Health and Wellness Center at 541-552-6136 or the Student Affairs Office at 541-552-6221. All foreign students (F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 visa holders) are required to carry medical insurance comparable to the medical plan offered by SOU.
The Women's Resource Center offers a variety of services and programs to the campus community. Focusing on issues that affect the lives of women, some of these activities include lectures, workshops, support groups, resource referrals, and other special events. The mission of the Women's Resource Center is to provide services and programs that enhance the lives of SOU women. Currently, our focus is on the prevention of sexual misconduct and relationship violence.